Locking mechanism



Aug. 4, 1953- Filed July 14, 1950 FIG. I.

F. M. JONES 2,647,287

LOCKING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FREDERIC K M. JONE S ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1953 F. M. JONES LOCKING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1950 INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. JONES ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1953 F. M. JONES LOCKING MECHANISM 3 SheetsSheet 3 Filed July 14, 1950 FIG.

INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. JONES ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 4, 1953 LOCKING MECHANISM Frederick to The U.

M. Jones, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor I S. Thermo Control 00., M1nn., a. corporation of Minnesota Minneapolis,

Application July 14, 1950, Serial No. 173,783

My invention relates to improvements in a locking mechanism In general it relates to a mechanism for interlocking the joining surfaces of a pair of wall members. While the invention is applicable to varioustypes of wall members,

it particularly relates to'a means for interlocking prefabricated walls of a refrigerator construction.

In recent years it has become the practice in building various types of refrigerator cabinets and 'particularlythose which areused for com mercial purposes or for relatively large storage spaces, to prefabricate the various elements making up the walls of the cabinet and then assemble the structure at the place of use. This arrangement not only effects a saving in shipping the parts of the cabinet which under certain conditionsmaybe critical, but it also facilitates the handlin of the parts of a relatively large structure. Moreover, in many instances it is desirable to provide this form of construction for a knock down type of cabinet which c'an'be moved from place to place.

Inmy copending application, Serial No. 719,822, filed June 2, 1947, now Patent 2,535,682, dated December 26, 195Q,I have shown aform of refrigerator cabinet composedof a pluralityof 'pre Each of these wall members constitute a complete structure in itfabricated wall ,members.

self and each is provided with at least one joining surface which is adapted to cooperate with the joining surface of another wall to form a suitable closure; In my prior disclosure each ofthe prefabricated 'walls is formed with either a tongue or grooved joining surfacewhich is adapt ed to interfit with an opposite type joining surface on another wall member. The junction between the walls in each instance is-secured by a relatively heavy threaded bolt which cooperates. with a threaded socket that is embedded in one of the joining surfaces. Moreover, to render the junction air-tight, suitable resilient gaskets are positioned on opposite sides ofthe joint and form an air-tight seal at the junction. While the means of joining-the walls of a cabinet as shown in my-prior disclosure is satisfactory for rela tivelyspermanent installations, it is not entirely satisfactory for use in installations which are of a temporary nature or where the operators who perform the assembly are not specifically trained for this purpose. ,Typical examples of a knockdown cabinetfor a temporary .use are found in portable storage lockers and alsoin'large cabi-- nets providing temporaryterminal storage for perishable foods of a seasonable character Whl-OII 5 Claims. (Cl. 204) are awaiting transportation. In both of these instances the storage enclosures must be of a na-v ture such that they can, if necessary, be readily disassembled and transported to other'places of use. Under such conditions fastening devices such as are 'showniin'my prior disclosure, which are of a removable'character, can be lost in handling. Moreover, through repeated use of fastening devices of that type there is likelihood of injury to the'threaded members resulting m an imperfect junction'between the wall members.

In the present invention Ihave provided-a locking mechanism particularly intended for use in prefabricated structures andmore particularly for knock-down refrigerator cabinets, wherein the locking mechanism forms a permanent part of each wall member and is capable of providing a secure and satisfactory joint after repeated use. The locking mechanism comprises a movable member carried by on of the'walls which is adapted to engage a relatively stationary mem-" ber carried on an adjoining surface of another wall. In general a latch member in the form'of a staple is carried in the joining surface of one of the walls and is adapted to be engaged by a hook-like member carried onthe joining surface of another wall member. The hook-like element is carriedby an eccentric card which provides oscillatory movement for the hook to effect engage-' ment with the latch, and also to provide an overcenter locking action with respect to the latch. A detent is provided between the cam and the hook-like element to aid in the locking and unlocking action, and a suitable abutment is provided to control the action of the cam. To c'ompens'ate for any irregularities of the partsgincluding the joining surfaces of the walls, a resilient take-up'i's associated with the latch -'to insure a tight junctionbetween the walls.

An object of the invention is to provide fastening means carried within the joining surfaces of "a pair of panels, comprising atwo part locking mechanisms-one partconsisting of a looking member that is releasably held by means of a spring biased detent on a driven member having an eccentric over-center movement, the

detent 'acting to release the driven member from the lockingmember when the latter engages -a latch to thereby permit continued movement of the driven member through an over-center position to securely lock the locking member with the latch. h

Another object is to provide a locking mechaf 1 nism composed of a locking member that is releasably held in moving engagement with an A further object is to provide in combination with a refrigeration cabinet formed of prefabricated walls, each of which has at least one joining surface formed of material of low thermal transfer capacity, a locking mechanism composed of parts carried by two such wall members and embedded in their joining surfaces, and in which.

one part constitutes a resilient supported staple while the other constitutes a hook which is carried by an eccentric element having an overcenter movement and in which a detent forms the connection between the eccentric and the hook to provide locking action when the hook engages the staple.

Other and further objects may become apparent from the following description and claims, and in the appended drawings in which:

Fig. l is an exploded perspective of a prefabricated refrigerator cabinet to which the present invention applies;

Figs. 2and 3 are perspective views of portions of two of the prefabricated panels disclosed in Fig. 1 and showing the lockingmechanism forming the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken through two adjoining panels of the construction shown in Fig. l. and showing parts of the locking mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4 showing parts inan alternative position;

Fig. 6 is a plan view taken on'line 6-6 of Fig.

Fig. 7 is aside elevation of a portion of the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5;; and,

Fig. 8 is a front perspective of the structure shown in Fig. '7.

Referring now to the several views of the drawings, the invention will be described in detail. Referring first to Fig. 1,' general reference numeral l0 indicates a refrigerator cabinet which is of a knock-downtype-of construction generally referred to as a walk-in box. Cabinet I0 is composed of several individual prefabricated panels, of which members tively form the bottomwall. Indicated at 18, and 22 are three panels which collectively form the top wall. Reference numerals 24 and 25 constitute similarly shaped end panels, while reference numerals 26 and 21 are also similarly shaped end panels which cooperatewith panels 24 and 25. Reference numerals 28 and 29 constitute a pair of similarly shapedv side panels which are positioned on oppositecorners of the cabinet, and reference numerals 36 and 3| constitutea second pair of side panels which are of similar shape and design. Panels 32 and 33 constitute similar center panels. Panel 32 is provided with a conventional walk-indoor 34, and panel 24 is provided with a large aperture 35 for receiving the heat exchange end of a portable mechanical re frigeration unit, such as is disclosed in my Reissue Patent No. 23,000 dated May 11, 1948. The construction of the several panels making up the refrigerator cabinet I0 is fully disclosed and claimed in my aforementioned Patent 2,535,682.

Referring nowto Figs. 2, 3 and 6, the construcl2, l4 and [*5 collec tion of at least two of the panels herein designated generally at 3B and 38 will be described in detail. Each of the panels 36 and 38 is composed of a relatively thick layer of therma1 insulation designated at 40. Extending along one edge of panel 36 and in contact with the thermal insulation 40 is a layer of plywood 42. Secured to the lateral edges of plywood layer 42 are wooden strips 44 and 46 which form a grooved surface designated in Fig. 2 at 48. Extending along one side of the panel 35 is a sheet metal layer 58 which is bent in a U-shaped manner around the strip 44 so that its edge terminates at 52. Extending across the other surface of panel 36 is a sheet metal layer 54 which is identical in all respects to sheet metal layer 50 and which extends around the strip 46 with its terminal edge 56 in contact with the plywood layer 42.

Panel 38 is also composed of a layer of thermal insulation 49 which along one edge carries a plywood layer 58. Secured along the center ofplywood layer 53 is-a wooden tongue-shaped member 60 which is of a width to fit within the grooved surface 48 of panel 36.. A sheet metal layer 82 extendsalong the outer side of panel 38 and is recurrently bent over an edge of plywood layer 58 so that its terminal edge 64 extends partially across the outer side of the tongued surface 50. A similar metal layer 66extends across the other surface of panel 38 and has its terminal edge 68 extending along. the opposite side of the tongued surface 60. Resilient gaskets 10 and 12 are secured along a portion of the recurrently bent layers 62 and B6 and are held'in place by fastening means I3. be seen that the joined edges of panels 36.18am formed in tongued and grooved surfaces which cooperate with each other insuch a manner as to provide an area of low thermaltransfer capacity by means of the center portions of tongue 60 and plywood layer 42. The purpose of this construction is to prevent heat transfer through a metalto-metal contact and also to seal the joint against the passage'of air. It should be under stood that all of the joining surfaces of the several panels making up the cabinet I!) are alter-- 'nately formed with either tongued or grooved surfaces such as has been described.

Within each of the panels having a grooved joining surface 48 is embedded a cup-shaped member 15 which'is best disclosed in Figs. '7 and 8. The member 15 is placed within the insulation4ii and is secured to the inner surface of the,

plywood layer 42 by conventional fastening means .14 passed through aperture 16 inthe edges of the cup-shaped member 15. The rear sideof cup-shaped member 15, as shown in Fig. '1, contains indentation 11 forming a pair of abutments 18 and .19 whose purpose will be explained hereinafter. Journaled within the lateral-sides of cup 15 is a cam which is of an eccentric nature and supported by bearings 82,84 for eccentric rotation. Bearing 84 has a hollow hexagonal indentation 86'for the insertion ofa standard hexagonal wrenchBS, shown in Fig. 3. Surrounding bearing 84 is a face plate 90. A hook member 92. is loosely mountedon cam 80 and isheld against a shoulder 93-of casing 15 by a coil spring 94 which has one end secured-in a groove 95 of the cam 86). Within an axially extending slot 96 in cam 80 is positioned asmall coil spring 98 Whichat its outer end contacts a sphere I011. The sphere IEO with the coil spring 98 forms adetent By examination it will which is adapted to enter a slot l02jinthe hookshaped member 92.

sloping forward edge III l.v Also mounted within the cam 80 and extending, outwardly therefrom.

is a pin I which is adapted to engage the-abut: ments I8 and 19 on casing I5. As will beevident on examination of Fig. 2' and will be explained.

hereinafter, the hook-shaped member 92 extends outwardly through the front opening of the casing and penetrates a slot I08 in the grooved surface 48. I

Cooperating with the hook 02. ajlatch meme ber whichis seen in Figs. 3,4, 5 andfi- Within the,

interior of panel member 38 andin contact with the inner surface of the plywood layer 58 is a circular cup III] whose open end is closed by a plate II2 having a slot II4 formed therein. Protruding outwardly through the slot .I Illv is -a latch or staple I I6 having a curved outerend' I I8 and a closed rear inner end- I20...Protruding inwardly from portion I 20 is a stud I22 about which is mounted a very powerful coil spring I24. On examination of Fig. 3 in conjunction with'Figs. 4 and 5, it will be evident that thecurved outer I end I I8 of the staple I I6 extends outwardlyfrom a recess I26 on the tongued surface 60.

The operation of the invention will now be explained. In constructing the several panels of the refrigerator construction I0, the latching mechanism madeup of .the casing 15' and its associated parts, and the casing H0 and its associated parts are each embedded within the interior of one of the panels and with a portion of each part of the locking'mechanism extending outwardly, as indicated at I08 and I26 in Figs. 2 and 3. When the several panels are tobe assembled in the manner shown in Fig. l, the tool 88 is placed in the recess 86 of the bearing end 84 of cam 80 and rotated ina counter-clockwise direction to retract the hook member 92. Thereafter, and with the panels in proper alignment with each other, the tool 80 is rotated in a clockwise direction from the full line position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 5 to effect the locking action.

Before describing the action that takes place, it should be noted that the hook element loosely surrounds cam 80, and that the operative connection between these members is the detent composed of the biased sphere I 00 which fits into the recess H02 and is held in place by the larger coil spring 94. Starting with the hook element 92 in its fully retracted position of Fig. 4, as the cam 80 rotates the hook engages the curved outer end II8 of the latch II6 and then begins to retract within casing 15. When the latch has been engaged spring I24 will resist movement and on further rotation of cam 80, sphere I00 moves out of the sloping forward edge I04 of the slot I02 and against the relatively weak pressure of spring 98. Continued rotation of cam 80 causes its dwell to give an oscillatory movement to the rear end of the hook to positively pull the hook inwardly against the resilience of spring I24, which action continues until the dwell of the cam passes by a few degrees an overcenter position, when its further movement is stopped by pin I06 engaging the abutment it, as seen in the dotted line position in Fig. 7. The overcenter position of the cam gives a positive locking action to the hook element 02. Coinciding with this operation, the latch or staple IIG has been pulled out- Wardly against the resilience of the heavy coil spring I20 whichis exerting'fpres's'ure between the base member I20and .theinner surface of the cover .II2' sothat the engagement is quite firm and any irregularity in parts, including the.

surfaces ofthe. tongued and grooved members 48' and 60 will-be taken'up'by spring I24. The

tool 08 may be removed and the operation continued at other locking devices of which several are shown in Fig. 1.

When it is'desired to separate the pane lathe tool 88' is inserted in the opening 86 and moved in .a counter-clockwise direction. When this occurs the detent is moved from the position shown in Fig. 5 until the sphere I00 enters the slot I02- rotation of the cam causes the detent mechanism to effect rotationof the loosely fitting hook member 92 until'pin I06 engages the abutment l9, asseen in Fig. '7, whereupon the hook is moved to a retracted position within the casing 15 and has disengaged'from the latch H6.

The advantages of my invention reside in providing a relatively simple locking mechanism which is embedded in the cooperating joining surfaces of a pair of wall members and which is capable not only of locking the wall members together, but of exerting a certain amount of pressure between the wall members through the action of the locking mechanism. Moreover, by having all of the parts contained within coopcrating walls the likelihood of loss of parts is avoided. The particularadvantage of the invention resides in the fact that repeated use does not destroy the utility of the locking mechanism and it may be operated by persons who need not be skilled mechanics.

While the invention is here disclosed as being used in combination with a knock-down type ticularly adapted, it is not necessarily limited to that particular construction since it forms a satisfactory manner of securing the walls of a cabinet or other similar arrangement which would normally be of a relatively permanent arrangement. Therefore, my invention is not limited to the single disclosure made herein, but rather to the full extent of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A locking mechanism, comprising a latch, a locking member formed with a hook for engaging the latch, a rotatably driven member having an eccentric axis of rotation forming a rotatable support for the locking member, said driven member being adapted for rotation on an eccentric axis through an over-center posiiton with respect to the latch for moving the locking member into locking relationship with the latch, and a spring biased detent carried by one of said members and engaging the other member to form a driving connection and releasing said members when the locking member engages the latch permitting continued movement of the driving member through its over-center position with respect to the latch.

2. A locking mechanism, comprising a latch, a locking member having a hook at one end for engaging the latch and containing an aperture adjacent its other end, a cam formed with an eccentric axis of rotation extending through the aperture in the locking member and adapted to eccentrically move the locking member into enagement with the latch and on continued rotation passing through an over-center position with respect to the latch to interlock the looking member with the latch, and a spring biased and engages the rear wall I03.- Further end for engaging the latch and having an aperture adjacent its other end, a cam having an eccentric axis of rotation extending through the aperture in the locking member and forming a rotatable support for said member, means supporting the cam for eccentric rotation through an over-center position with respect to the latch, a.

spring biased detent carried by the cam and engaging the locking-member andiorming a driving connection which is released when the locking member engages the latch permitting the cam to continue its movement through the over-center position with respect tothe latch, and resilient means carried by the latch providing yieldable movement of the latter with the locking member while in looking engagement.

4. A locking mechanism, comprising a latch, a locking member formed with a hook for engaging the latch, a rotatabh driven member having an eccentric axis of rotation forming a rotatable support for the locking member, means supporting said driven member for eccentric rotation through an over-center position with respect to the latch, a spring biased detent carried by the driven member and engaging the locking member and releasing the driven member from the locking member when the latter engages the latch, means cooperable with .the driven member for arresting its movement when the latter has moved through its over-center position with respect to the latch, and resilient means cooperable with the latch to provide yielding movement of the latch with the locking member when in locking engagement.

5. In combination with a pair of walls each having a joining surface cooperable with the joining surface ofthe other wall to form a junction between said walls, a first casing carried within the joining surface of one of said walls, a latch member supported by said casing, a second casing carried within the joining surface of the other of 'said walls, a locking member within said second casing havinga hook-shaped portion adapted to extend beyond the plane of the joining surface and engage said latch, a cam having an eccentric axis of rotation carried within said second easing and forming a support for one end of the lockingmember, said cam being adapted for rotation through an over-center position with respect to the latch, a spring biased detent carried by the cam and forming an operativeconnection between the cam and the locking member, and yieldably releasing the cam: when the locking member engages the latch, limiting means carried by-said'casing and engageabiewith a portion of the cam when the latter moves through its over-center position, and yieldable means carried by oneof'said'casings and cooperable with its respective member providing yieldable movement between the looking member and the latch when said members are in locked engagement with each other.

. FREDERICK M. JONES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,250,574 Ferris Dec. 18, 191'? 1,438,757 Goddard Dec. 12, 1922 1,534,7fll- Gray Apr. 21, 1925 2,340,864 Carpenter Feb. 8, 1944 2,378,654 Pekny June 19, 1945 2,486,686 Shreve Nov. 1, 1949 2,540,468 Anderson Feb. 6, 1951 

